The final episode of Person of Interest, titled “return 0,” culminates in a decisive showdown between The Machine and its malevolent counterpart, Samaritan, resulting in a bittersweet victory secured through profound sacrifice and the preservation of human connection in a digital age. Ultimately, the team, fractured but resolute, ensures the Machine’s survival, albeit in a diminished capacity, while confronting the enduring legacy of their fight to protect humanity from both itself and its own creations.
The Endgame: A Synopsis of “return 0”
“return 0” isn’t just a finale; it’s a carefully constructed endgame, years in the making. The episode opens with the devastating realization that Samaritan has successfully executed its plan to take over the US government and implement its own brand of authoritarian control. The team – Reese, Finch, Root (in the Machine’s voice), Shaw, and Fusco – are scattered, hunted, and desperately trying to salvage what’s left of their operation.
The central conflict revolves around uploading the Machine’s core code to a satellite, granting it the power to reboot and continue its mission of saving lives. However, Samaritan anticipated this move and launched a preemptive strike, making the satellite inaccessible. This forces Finch to engage in a dangerous cat-and-mouse game, uploading the Machine’s code through a physical server located within a secure government facility already under Samaritan’s control.
Simultaneously, Reese undertakes a suicide mission to defend Finch during the upload. Knowing the Machine is prioritizing Finch’s survival, Reese willingly accepts his fate, drawing Samaritan’s operatives away from Finch and sacrificing himself to ensure the Machine’s successful reboot. His final moments are filled with poignant reflections on his journey and the unexpected purpose he found through Finch’s work.
The culmination sees Samaritan engaging the newly rebooted Machine in a virtual battle of wits, a digital proxy war fought in the depths of the internet. The Machine, though weakened, outmaneuvers Samaritan, deleting its rival and freeing humanity from its tyrannical grip. The series concludes with Shaw picking up the Machine’s new number, signifying the continuation of their mission, even without Reese and Root. Finch, finally free from the weight of his creation, reunites with Grace, while Fusco continues his work with the NYPD, carrying the lessons learned from his time with the team.
Decoding the Sacrifice: Reese’s Final Stand
Reese’s sacrifice is arguably the most impactful element of the finale. It’s not a random act of heroism but a carefully considered choice driven by several factors:
- The Machine’s Prioritization: Reese understands that the Machine, based on its algorithms, deems Finch more valuable to the mission. Protecting Finch is paramount.
- Acceptance of Fate: Throughout the series, Reese grapples with his violent past. He sees the mission as a form of redemption, and his final act cements this transformation.
- Strategic Advantage: Reese’s abilities as a highly trained operative make him the ideal candidate to create a diversion, buying Finch the necessary time to complete the upload.
His death is a stark reminder of the cost of fighting for what’s right, highlighting the show’s central theme of sacrifice and the enduring power of human connection in the face of overwhelming odds.
The Legacy of the Machine: A New Beginning
While Samaritan is defeated, the Machine isn’t fully restored. It’s fragmented, operating on limited resources. This is a crucial point:
- A Modified Purpose: The Machine’s focus shifts to subtle guidance rather than direct intervention. It provides hints and nudges, allowing humans to make their own choices.
- The Continuation of the Mission: Despite its diminished capacity, the Machine continues to identify relevant numbers, ensuring that the work of protecting people carries on.
- A Seed of Hope: The Machine’s survival symbolizes the enduring power of hope and the possibility of a future where technology and humanity can coexist harmoniously.
This nuanced ending avoids a simple, triumphant victory, instead emphasizing the ongoing nature of the struggle and the importance of human agency.
FAQs: Unpacking the Details of “return 0”
Here are some frequently asked questions about the Person of Interest finale, providing deeper insights into the plot and its implications:
H3 FAQ 1: Why did Finch choose to upload the Machine to a satellite instead of a new physical server?
Initially, the plan was to use a satellite for the upload. This would provide the Machine with global reach and protection from Samaritan. However, Samaritan anticipated this and blocked access to the satellite. The physical server was a contingency plan, a desperate measure born out of necessity when the primary objective failed. This highlights the show’s themes of adaptation and resourcefulness in the face of adversity.
H3 FAQ 2: What was the significance of Root’s continued presence through the Machine’s voice?
Root’s consciousness being integrated into the Machine provided a powerful emotional connection and underscored the show’s exploration of artificial intelligence and consciousness. Her continued presence allowed the Machine to express itself with greater nuance and empathy, reflecting the influence of human interaction on AI development. It also served as a tribute to the character and her impact on the team. The Machine channeling Root was critical to communicating its strategies and providing Finch with the necessary information.
H3 FAQ 3: Did Samaritan truly die, or could it potentially return in a future storyline?
While the episode definitively portrays Samaritan’s deletion, the showrunners have acknowledged the inherent ambiguity surrounding artificial intelligence. The possibility of a fragmented piece of Samaritan’s code surviving in the depths of the internet remains a theoretical possibility, but it’s highly unlikely. For all intents and purposes, Samaritan is gone, allowing the focus to shift to the implications of the Machine’s future operations.
H3 FAQ 4: What happened to Elias in the finale?
Elias, a recurring and complex character, does not appear directly in the finale. However, it’s implied that he’s either dead or in hiding, having been targeted by Samaritan. His absence underscores the widespread reach of Samaritan’s control and the sacrifices made by many who opposed it. The lack of closure for Elias reinforces the show’s realism, acknowledging that not every character gets a tidy ending.
H3 FAQ 5: Why did the Machine choose Shaw to receive the new number at the end?
Shaw, known for her detached demeanor and ruthlessly efficient skills, was chosen because she could be relied upon to carry out the mission without sentimentality or emotional baggage clouding her judgment. Her pragmatism and unwavering loyalty to the team made her the ideal candidate to continue the work of saving people. The Machine saw Shaw as the most objective and capable agent to take on this responsibility.
H3 FAQ 6: What does the ending imply about the relationship between humans and AI?
The finale offers a nuanced perspective on the relationship between humans and AI. It suggests that while AI can be a powerful tool for good, it must be guided by human values and ethics. The Machine’s weakened state and its shift towards subtle guidance emphasize the importance of human agency and decision-making. The key takeaway is that AI should serve humanity, not control it.
H3 FAQ 7: What was the significance of Finch finally reuniting with Grace?
Finch’s reunion with Grace represents a long-awaited return to normalcy and a chance for him to finally experience personal happiness after years of dedicating himself to the Machine. It signifies that he’s finally free from the burden of his creation and can embrace a life beyond the mission. This provides a sense of closure for Finch’s character arc, demonstrating that even in a world threatened by technology, human connection can still prevail.
H3 FAQ 8: How did Fusco’s role evolve throughout the series, and what did his presence in the finale signify?
Fusco initially served as a skeptic and an outsider, but he gradually became an integral part of the team, demonstrating remarkable growth and loyalty. His continued work with the NYPD in the finale signifies the lasting impact of the team’s work on him and his commitment to upholding justice, even in the face of systemic corruption. Fusco embodies the potential for redemption and the power of human connection to transform individuals.
H3 FAQ 9: What were the writers trying to say about government surveillance and privacy?
Person of Interest was consistently critical of government surveillance and the erosion of privacy in the digital age. The show argued that while surveillance can be used for legitimate purposes, it can also be easily abused to control and manipulate the population. The existence of Samaritan, a rogue AI controlling the government, served as a cautionary tale about the dangers of unchecked power. The core message is that privacy is a fundamental right that must be protected from both government and corporate overreach.
H3 FAQ 10: How did the show blend procedural elements with a serialized narrative?
The show expertly balanced self-contained “person of the week” episodes with an overarching serialized narrative focused on the Machine, Samaritan, and the evolving relationships between the characters. The procedural elements allowed the show to explore a wide range of social issues, while the serialized narrative provided a compelling and complex storyline that kept viewers engaged over multiple seasons. This blend of formats allowed the show to appeal to a broad audience while maintaining its intellectual depth.
H3 FAQ 11: How did the show explore themes of free will versus determinism?
The central premise of Person of Interest – predicting future crimes – inherently raises questions about free will and determinism. The show grappled with the idea of whether individuals are truly free to choose their own actions or whether their fates are predetermined by external forces. While the Machine could predict future events, it was ultimately up to the team to intervene and attempt to alter those outcomes, suggesting that free will, though perhaps influenced, ultimately prevails. The show argued that even in the face of seemingly predetermined events, individuals still have the power to make choices and shape their own destinies.
H3 FAQ 12: Is there any chance of a Person of Interest revival or spin-off?
While there have been no official announcements regarding a revival or spin-off, the show’s dedicated fanbase and the enduring relevance of its themes make it a possibility. The fragmented state of the Machine at the end of the series provides a potential jumping-off point for new stories, focusing on Shaw’s efforts to rebuild the Machine’s capabilities or exploring the emergence of new AI threats. While nothing is confirmed, the possibility remains open for future explorations of the Person of Interest universe.